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What is the primary risk associated with vehicle transmission in respiratory care?
What is the primary risk associated with vehicle transmission in respiratory care?
Under which circumstances should gloves be used in a healthcare setting?
Under which circumstances should gloves be used in a healthcare setting?
What personal protective equipment is recommended when there is a risk of splashes or sprays during procedures?
What personal protective equipment is recommended when there is a risk of splashes or sprays during procedures?
What is the safest practice when handling needles in a healthcare setting?
What is the safest practice when handling needles in a healthcare setting?
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What is the correct procedure for disposing of gloves after use?
What is the correct procedure for disposing of gloves after use?
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What defines Multi-drug Resistant Organisms (MDRO)?
What defines Multi-drug Resistant Organisms (MDRO)?
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Which of the following statements about Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is true?
Which of the following statements about Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is true?
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What should healthcare providers be aware of when using gloves?
What should healthcare providers be aware of when using gloves?
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What is the most common duration of hand-washing in hospital settings?
What is the most common duration of hand-washing in hospital settings?
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For which situation is the three-minute scrub recommended?
For which situation is the three-minute scrub recommended?
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What term describes the presence of microorganisms in a host without causing disease?
What term describes the presence of microorganisms in a host without causing disease?
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Which of the following patients is considered highly susceptible to infection?
Which of the following patients is considered highly susceptible to infection?
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What is the primary method for preventing the transmission of microorganisms via contact?
What is the primary method for preventing the transmission of microorganisms via contact?
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Which of the following is a major route for the transmission of pathogens?
Which of the following is a major route for the transmission of pathogens?
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What does neutropenia refer to?
What does neutropenia refer to?
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What action should be taken after contact with body fluids while wearing gloves?
What action should be taken after contact with body fluids while wearing gloves?
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What is the primary purpose of Standard Precautions in healthcare settings?
What is the primary purpose of Standard Precautions in healthcare settings?
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Which of the following is a recommended action when caregivers enter a room of a patient with tuberculosis?
Which of the following is a recommended action when caregivers enter a room of a patient with tuberculosis?
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What is the role of rigorous hand-washing in infection prevention compared to protective isolation?
What is the role of rigorous hand-washing in infection prevention compared to protective isolation?
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Which type of infectious diseases are discouraged from transporting within the hospital unless essential?
Which type of infectious diseases are discouraged from transporting within the hospital unless essential?
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What particle size are mycobacterium tuberculosis particles typically carried in?
What particle size are mycobacterium tuberculosis particles typically carried in?
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When should gloves or gowns be changed while providing patient care?
When should gloves or gowns be changed while providing patient care?
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What is the function of laminar flow in critical care areas?
What is the function of laminar flow in critical care areas?
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Which of the following practices is critical when performing procedures associated with droplet transmission?
Which of the following practices is critical when performing procedures associated with droplet transmission?
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What is the primary benefit of using steam sterilization for heat-stable items?
What is the primary benefit of using steam sterilization for heat-stable items?
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What temperature and time are required for unwrapped items using autoclaving at 1.036 Bar?
What temperature and time are required for unwrapped items using autoclaving at 1.036 Bar?
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Which of the following is a major contamination risk associated with large-volume nebulizers?
Which of the following is a major contamination risk associated with large-volume nebulizers?
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What aspect of ventilator systems presents the highest risk for contamination?
What aspect of ventilator systems presents the highest risk for contamination?
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How has unit dosing impacted the risk of spreading infections in medications?
How has unit dosing impacted the risk of spreading infections in medications?
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What is MRSA often compared to regarding its danger to the general public?
What is MRSA often compared to regarding its danger to the general public?
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What is the primary measure for preventing the spread of MRSA in healthcare settings?
What is the primary measure for preventing the spread of MRSA in healthcare settings?
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What condition makes VRE particularly dangerous?
What condition makes VRE particularly dangerous?
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Who is at the greatest risk of C. diff infection?
Who is at the greatest risk of C. diff infection?
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How can C. diff infection spread?
How can C. diff infection spread?
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What is Vancomycin used for?
What is Vancomycin used for?
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When was VRE first identified in the United States?
When was VRE first identified in the United States?
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Which statement about Acinetobacter is accurate?
Which statement about Acinetobacter is accurate?
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What is the primary reason for avoiding the transportation of patients infected with TB, varicella, and measles within the hospital?
What is the primary reason for avoiding the transportation of patients infected with TB, varicella, and measles within the hospital?
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Why is it essential for respiratory care practitioners to undergo immunization against hepatitis?
Why is it essential for respiratory care practitioners to undergo immunization against hepatitis?
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What is the purpose of the HEPA N95 mask for caregivers entering a room of a patient with tuberculosis?
What is the purpose of the HEPA N95 mask for caregivers entering a room of a patient with tuberculosis?
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What does the practice of treating everyone as though they have an infectious communicable disease achieve?
What does the practice of treating everyone as though they have an infectious communicable disease achieve?
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What is the recommended duration for the common hand-washing technique used between patients in a hospital setting?
What is the recommended duration for the common hand-washing technique used between patients in a hospital setting?
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Which of the following describes an individual with neutropenia?
Which of the following describes an individual with neutropenia?
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What is a key characteristic of Mycobacterium tuberculosis concerning its transmission?
What is a key characteristic of Mycobacterium tuberculosis concerning its transmission?
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Which type of scrub is specifically recommended for healthcare workers arriving at or leaving the hospital?
Which type of scrub is specifically recommended for healthcare workers arriving at or leaving the hospital?
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What term is used to describe the presence of microorganisms in a host without causing tissue damage?
What term is used to describe the presence of microorganisms in a host without causing tissue damage?
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Which patient population is identified as highly susceptible to infections due to their compromised health?
Which patient population is identified as highly susceptible to infections due to their compromised health?
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Study Notes
Infection Control Principles
- Hand-washing is the most effective method for preventing microorganism transmission through contact.
- A common hand-washing duration in healthcare settings is 20 seconds, necessary between patients, prior to medication preparation, and after potential contamination.
- The three-minute scrub is recommended upon arrival and departure in healthcare facilities, requiring thorough scrubbing of forearms, wrists, and hands.
Transmission Routes
- Pathogens can transmit through five major routes: contact, droplet, airborne, common vehicle, and vectorborne.
- Colonization occurs when microorganisms are present in a host; infection results from damage to cells or tissue.
Vulnerable Patient Populations
- Patients with leukemia, cancer, severe burns, or undergoing immunosuppressive therapy are at high risk for infections.
- Neutropenia refers to a low number of neutrophils, increasing infection susceptibility.
Immunization and Standard Precautions
- Respiratory care practitioners should be immunized against hepatitis B through three vaccine doses, followed by a titer test.
- Standard Precautions mandate treating all individuals as if they have an infectious disease, necessitating proper protective equipment decisions.
Airborne Precautions
- Isolation patients' rooms must have closed doors to minimize airborne transmission.
- Caregivers should wear N95 respirators or HEPA masks for additional respiratory protection.
Droplet and Vehicle Transmission
- Droplet transmission can occur through coughing, sneezing, or talking, particularly during medical procedures.
- Vehicle transmission involves contaminated instruments, water, or food, emphasizing the importance of recognizing infection risks in respiratory care.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Gloves are essential when handling blood, body fluids, and contaminated items; proper disposal and hand washing between patients are critical.
- Masks, eye protection, and gowns should be used when risk of exposure to splashes or sprays is present.
Needle and Sharps Safety
- Never recap needles to prevent injury; use puncture-proof disposal containers for sharps.
Multi-Drug Resistant Organisms (MDRO)
- MDROs, including MRSA and VRE, have developed resistance to various antibiotics, posing significant risks, particularly in healthcare settings.
- MRSA is more difficult to treat but not inherently more dangerous to the general population compared to sensitive strains.
Clostridium difficile (C. diff)
- C. diff is linked to severe diarrhea and colitis, with high risk among elderly and immunocompromised individuals due to long-lasting spores in the environment.
Equipment Handling Procedures
- Effective procedures for equipment maintenance and processing help prevent pathogen spread, especially concerning respiratory care equipment.
- Large-volume nebulizers are notable contamination sources, necessitating careful fluid use and handling.
Sterilization Techniques
- Pressure Steam Sterilization is a preferred method for sterilizing heat-stable items that penetrate the skin, requiring specific temperatures and times for effectiveness.
Infection Control Principles
- Hand-washing is critical for preventing microorganism transmission.
- The 20-second scrub is standard in hospitals for various situations, while a three-minute scrub is required upon entry or exit from a facility.
- Pathogens can be transmitted through five main routes: contact, droplet, airborne, common vehicle, and vectorborne.
- Colonization refers to the presence of microorganisms in a host; infection occurs when damage results from them.
Immunocompromised and Vulnerable Patients
- Patients with leukemia, cancer, severe burns, or immunosuppressive therapies are at heightened risk for infections.
- Neutropenia indicates reduced neutrophil levels, complicating infection risks.
- Protective isolation has been deemed less effective than rigorous hand-washing for preventing infections.
Viral and Bacterial Infections
- Hepatitis B immunization is essential for respiratory care practitioners due to their exposure risk.
- Treat all patients as potentially infectious to establish a preventive habit.
- Patients needing airborne isolation should have closed doors and special ventilation systems to limit spread.
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (TB)
- TB is a slow-growing bacterium transmitted via airborne particles as small as 1-5 microns.
- A HEPA mask is essential for caregivers entering a TB-infected patient's space.
- Limit patient transport for TB-infected individuals; masks should be used during transport.
Droplet and Contact Transmission
- Droplets from coughing, sneezing, or talking can transmit infections.
- Precautions include hand hygiene to prevent the spread of MRSA and VRE (Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus).
- MRSA is more challenging to treat but similarly virulent as methicillin-sensitive S. aureus.
Clostridium difficile (C. diff)
- C. diff causes severe gastrointestinal issues, primarily affecting the elderly and those with specific health issues.
- Transmission can occur through contaminated surfaces and healthcare provider hands.
Acinetobacter and ESBL
- Acinetobacter typically affects individuals with weakened immune systems but poses little risk to healthy individuals.
- Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) is an enzyme in certain bacteria that provides antibiotic resistance.
- Common bacteria producing ESBL include Escherichia coli and Klebsiella.
Cleaning, Disinfection, and Sterilization
- Cleaning is the first step in processing medical equipment to ensure effective subsequent decontamination.
- Disinfection reduces harmful microorganisms, while sterilization kills all forms of microbial life.
- High-level disinfectants like glutaraldehyde are used for specific applications but have safety concerns.
Disinfectant Selection and Usage
- Sodium hypochlorite (bleach) is effective for cleaning and disinfection; recommended dilution varies for different usages, such as blood spills.
- Various methods exist for sterilization, including heat, chemical methods, and autoclaving, with autoclaving being efficient and reliable.
General Guidelines for Infection Control
- Infection spread requires a source of pathogens, a susceptible host, and a transmission route.
- The main sources of pathogens in hospitals are people and contaminated objects.
- Proper use and disposal of personal protective equipment (PPE) are essential for maintaining infection control.
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Description
Test your knowledge on Infection Control principles as outlined in Hess, Chapter 31. This quiz focuses on key statements and facts that are vital for understanding infection control in various settings. Challenge yourself and see how much you know!